Living in the Present - Continued

The last post discussed 2 of the 4 traditional reminders to living in the present moment by Pema Chodron. The last 2 reminders are:

3. Recall that whatever you do, whether virtuous or not, has a result; what comes around, goes around. The law of karma is that we sow the seeds and we reap the fruit. So when you find yourself in a dark place...you can think, "Maybe it's time to get a little golden spade and dig myself out of this place."

4. Contemplate that as long as you are too focused on self-importance and too caught up in thinking about how you are good or bad, you will suffer. Obsessing about getting what you want and avoiding what you don't want does not result in happiness.

These reminders can help keep us focused on what is really important in our lives. Too often, we get caught up in the day to day grind, forgetting all about the fundamental meaning of what we are all about. I particluarly like the 3rd reminder because it shows us how we each are responsible for how we react to the people & situations around us - and more importantly, how we have the choice to do something about it. The 4th reminder shows us that happiness is not about what you have and don't have - that it goes much deeper than that. We tend to focus on the bigger house, the bigger salary, the more beautiful body; thinking that if we had these things we would feel happier. I've met the people that have these things, only to find that they are disappointed because they are still left unfulfilled.

Remember to "dig deeper" and go underneath the surface of money, beauty, good and bad. Find out what it really is that makes you feel fulfilled as a human being. Take these reminders to heart - and use them on a daily basis. What are you doing and/or thinking about today that will steer you in the right direction of happiness and fulfillment?

Enjoy the present, for it is truly a gift.

-Renee Kennedy-Edwards, MS
Executive & Personal Coach
COACHING 4 SUCCESS, INC.
www.LeadMeToSucceed.com

Living in the Present

I found something in a magazine that is worth repeating in this blog. It is a commentary written by Pema Chodron and it was published in the Shambhala Sun magazine. It discusses the traditional 4 basic reminders to stay in the present moment. I will post the first 2 reminders now. They are:

1. Maintain an awareness of the preciousness of human life. Beginning to realize how precious life is becomes one of your most powerful tools. It's like gratitude...once you have this feeling of gratitude for your own life and the preciousness of human birth, then it takes you into any realm.
2. Be aware of the reality that life ends; death comes for everyone. Life is very brief. If you realize that you don't have that many more years to live and if you live your life as if you actually had only a day left, then the sense of impermanence heightens that feeling of preciousness and gratitude.

By focusing on these 2 reminders, you learn to appreciate the value of your life and the lives of others. It puts things in perspective and makes you realize the "problems" and "challenges" we face on a daily basis are small in size in comparison to the bigger picture - our life.

Stay tuned for the next 2 reminders to be published on the blog. Until then, stay focused on the bigger picture and be grateful for the people around you, including yourself.

Positive thoughts to you,
Renee

Renee Kennedy-Edwards, MS
Business & Personal Coach
COACHING 4 SUCCESS, INC.
www.LeadMeToSucceed.com